Zim Starlets Continue To Excel With The Young Lions

Highly-rated England-born Zimbabwe youngsters of Shumaira Mheuka and Trey Nyoni continue to excel in their development with the England Youth teams after a successful tournament with the under-u16s in France.

The duo who graduated from the U15s in 2022 and brought home the Development Cup from their trip to Cyprus in February 2023, were once again picked for the 50th Mondial Montagiu tournament in France – a competition in which the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Kylian Mbappé played as youngsters.

On fire Chelsea forward Shumaira Mheuka (15), began the tournament with a goal to his name after scoring in England’s 2-0 win over New Caledonia on the 2nd of April to book their first win in the group before scoring his second plus an assist in his second start against Belgium winning 3-0 to secure third group win and proceed to the semi-finals.

Mheuka once again scored from the spot in a semi-final shoot out win against Romania after coming in from the bench earlier on in the second half of the 0-0 draw as the Young lions went on to win 8-7 on penalties to make it to the finals.

The Chelsea U16s striker returned to the first eleven for the final against Japan, helping the Young lions to lift their seventh Mondial Montagiu cup after winning 4-3 on penalties.

Leicester City attacking midfielder Trey Nyoni (15) made his tournament debut starting in the Young lions’ second group game against Central African Republic as they roared back to come from two goals down to win 3-2 and register Young lions’ second successive win in the group.

The talented Leicester City Under-18 star made his second start for the Young lions in the 8-7 semi-final shoot out success against Romania before featuring in the final against Japan after coming on in the second half.

Although the duo are currently successful with the Young lions, they are still eligible to represent Zimbabwe Warriors at senior level if we can get our house in order in a hurry.